Operations

Bobit Business Media Acquires ATA's Truck Fleet Management

November 5, 2014
• by Staff

Bobit Business Media has acquired the Truck Fleet Management media properties from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) in a deal that closed Nov. 5.

"We're excited to add the Truck Fleet Management audience to Bobit's stable of over 250,000 fleets receiving our magazines, using our online sites and attending our trade shows and conferences," said Sherb Brown, Bobit vice president and group publisher. "American Trucking Associations have done a great job serving this market segment over the years and we look forward to continuing that tradition."

In the deal, Bobit Business Media acquired a print magazine, Web site, enewsletter, and list of subscribers. Bobit will cease publication of the print magazine, and readers will have the opportunity to subscribe to several of Bobit's related brands. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The move solidifies Bobit's position at the leading global fleet publisher with brands such as Heavy Duty Trucking, Work Truck Magazine, Automotive Fleet and associated Web sites, events, and databases, Brown said.

The ATA is shifting its focus to the Transport Topics brand that includes a weekly publication, iTECH and Equipment & Maintenance supplements, Web sites, and other digital projects, said Jeff Mason, ATA's executive vice president.

"As ATA moves forward with our new strategic plan, we are focusing our efforts on what we believe are our core businesses," Mason said. "We are very happy that we were able to find a home for TFM in Bobit that appears to be a perfect fit for their audiences."

Since fleet drivers spend most of their workdays on the road, they may feel more detached from their companies. Managers can help drivers feel more connected by offering opportunities for them to communicate their opinions, participate in company discussions, and take part in incentive programs.

The fleet procurement process, like most other aspects of fleet, is heavily dependent on the capabilities of modern-day technology. Online-based procurement systems help fleet and procurement professionals understand more about their operations so they can make impactful decisions.

With recent cannabis legalization, new commercial fleets are springing up to transport pounds of marijuana and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash. Navigating wildfire growth, ever-changing regulations, and federal illegality, it’s a fast learning curve for these new cannabis entrepreneurs — the legal ones, anyway.

With a focus on providing last-mile logistics, autonomous vehicle startups like California-based AutoX and Udelv are deploying small fleets of self-driving vans and sedans to make the case for autonomous delivery.